Evaluation and management of keratitis in dogs

Abstract

The efficacy of various treatments for corneal ulcers and corneal perforation was studied in twelve dogs. Dogs presented with the history of corneal affections were clinically examined and the cases were selected for the study. Dogs with superficial corneal lesions without corneal perforations underwent medical treatment and those with deep lesions or corneal perforations or those refractory to medical treatment were subjected to surgical treatments. Medical treatment consisted of ocular instillation of antibiotic, flurbiprofen and tropicamide. The antibiotic ciprofloxacin was selected as the primary antibiotic. In surgically treated cases all dogs were put to medication with ciprofloxacin topically three days prior to surgery. The surgical techniques included debridement and suturing, superficial keratectomy, iridectomy and suturing, third eyelid flap and temporary tarsorrhaphy. All were performed under general anaesthesia. Postoperatively all the dogs were maintained on cephalexin orally and ciprofloxacin, flurbiprofen and tropicamide topically. The medically treated cases became fluorescein dye retention negative by seventh to 21 days period and corneal clarity was achieved in all cases by 60th day. In surgically treated cases most of the cases became fluorescein negative on seventh day except two and corneal clarity was achieved in four cases by 60th day. Vascularization of the cornea was completely resolved on 21st day of observation in medically treated cases and in surgically treated cases it had resolved on 35th day of observation. The complications encountered were phthisis bulbi and bulging of cornea in one case each.